A new review published in the journal Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research, provides a comprehensive overview of key factors related to muscle strength and outlines current and potential future management options.
According to the June 6, 2016 news release, “A key reason why the elderly are at higher risk of falls is that, with advanced age, there is reduced muscle strength and power—factors which affect the ability to maintain balance. Even the fear of falling itself, common in seniors who have already experienced a fall, can lead to reduced activity and a vicious cycle of increasing muscle weakness and higher risk of injurious falls.”
“The current standard of care to prevent falls in high risk seniors relies on progressive resistance training (PRT), targeted exercise which has been shown to increase lower limb muscle strength and power and to improve balance. Additional interventions, such as improving vision, nutritional supplementation, or removing home hazards, are also important. However, although studies have shown PRT to be effective, it is rarely implemented in practice due to the challenges involved with treating frail or weak seniors, many of whom suffer from chronic pain due to musculoskeletal conditions, impaired mobility, or other disorders.”
Professor René Rizzoli, Co-Editor-in-Chief of Calcified Tissue International & Musculoskeletal Research and Emeritus Professor of the University Hospitals of Geneva, stated, “This outstanding review outlines the considerable evidence that points to a muscle strengthening approach in reducing the risk of falls and fall-related injuries. Given the high human and social burden of fractures and injuries resulting from falls in the senior population it is imperative that every opportunity to address unmet needs in falls prevention is explored.”
Regarding “unmet needs for fall prevention, ” Dr. Rizzoli told OTW, “Despite the efficacy of various increased physical activity regimens and correction of individual risk factors such as improving vision, decreasing psychotropic drugs, removing home hazards, etc., the ‘uptake’ of these interventions is low. Elderly patients who are most at risk of falls often have mobility impairment, painful musculoskeletal conditions or other comorbidities which prevent them from engaging in muscle strengthening and falls prevention exercise interventions. Also, exercise interventions have been shown to reduce the risk of falls by approximately 15-30%, which means that some 70-85% of falls still occur despite such interventions.”
“Falls (30% elderly above age 65 are falling at least once a year) are the major cause of fractures in seniors and it is important—especially given the rapid increase in our ageing population—that research focuses on how to improve muscle function, prevent falls and related injuries. However, due to the challenges involved, it is unrealistic to expect that standard falls prevention strategies alone can meet the needs of all seniors. This paper outlines the considerable evidence in support of a muscle strengthening approach and shows how, in the future, new drugs to increase muscle power may contribute to improve muscle function for the most high-risk elderly.”
